Word usage, or diction, varies depending on the type of writing. Technical writers use precise language, while poets use flowery words. Understanding connotations is important for proper word usage. Writers must choose words that address their topic and audience, while poets use language for artistic purposes. Skilful use of words can make technical writing seem artistic.
Word usage, otherwise known as diction, refers to a writer’s choice of words and how they use those words in any given piece of writing. The writer’s choice of words varies significantly based on the type of writing he is engaged in. A technical writer, for example, tends to use words precisely and clearly, with the goal of conveying information. His use of words generally differs from a poet, who often uses flowery and eloquent words to communicate intangible ideas, such as beauty and love. Word choice has an especially important place in fiction, where works that take place in different regions and different time periods often use significantly different words to develop a certain level of authenticity.
For most people, word usage is simply about choosing the appropriate words to use in particular scenarios. This means understanding the meanings of words and how to use them in sentences. However, many words have “connotations” or meanings beyond their technical definitions. Understanding both the technical meanings and connotations of words is essential to proper word usage, as some words with perfectly acceptable definitions have nasty or offensive connotations.
Word use is a far more pressing issue for writers and speakers than for those in other professions. Writers generally need to choose words that clearly and specifically address the topics they are discussing and that are clear and understandable to their audience. When writing for a technically proficient audience, for example, a writer’s use of words should generally demonstrate understanding of the jargon associated with the topic under discussion. When writing for a general audience, however, the writer should try to avoid jargon. For writing intended primarily to convey information, the intended audience is generally the primary determinant of the writer’s word choices.
Many writers and poets use language for artistic purposes and are, therefore, often less influenced by their audiences. The use of words in these cases takes on new and more complex dimensions, as the sound and rhythm of words can be as important as the meanings. This is especially true in poetry, most of which is governed by strict rules of rhythm and rhyme.
Art writers aren’t the only ones who are occasionally praised for their deft use of words. Many writers whose primary purpose is to convey information are prized for their ability to do so eloquently. The skilful use of words can make even purely technical writing seem almost artistic without detracting from its functionality.
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